NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — As new Smyrna Beach leaders continue to seek solutions to the city’s parking problems, one community member says there is a possibility of increasing the number of parking spaces available to the public. I am proposing a plan.
The city created a parking task force that spent six months researching ideas to address parking issues in the city. In its final report, the task force recommended hiring a parking consultant and said the city should also explore partnerships with private companies and public agencies that have existing parking within the parking district. Ta.
At the city’s recent workshop, local real estate agents pitched ideas to the New Smyrna Beach City Commission to add more parking and build new parking along Jessamine Avenue near the 400 block of Flagler Avenue. He said it could lead to development.
Ignacio Barsottelli and his wife Melissa have lived in the New Smyrna Beach community for five years and work as real estate agents.
“I love this community. I decided to retire in this town, so the rest of my life, and our family life, will be spent here,” Barsottelli said. .
He owns the property at the corner of Flagler Avenue and Cooper Street, which is adjacent to an existing city-owned parking lot on Jessamine Avenue and provides 28 free public parking spaces.
Barsotelli presented his ideas to commissioners at a city workshop.
“We propose to consolidate both lands and create one parking lot,” he said.
Barsottelli said the first phase of the project will expand surface parking by consolidating two parking lots, increasing the city’s parking capacity from 28 to 40 spots. Barsottelli said he believes it can be accomplished by the summer of 2024 to quickly improve the city’s parking. Parking problem.
“It’s driving people away. One of the biggest concerns for business owners here in Flagler is people not coming,” Barsotelli said, adding that people are “starting to say, ‘I’m not going to go because it’s messed up.’ ” he added. Parking is a problem. ”
Barsottelli’s project will also include the construction of an underground garage to provide more parking space, as well as a total of nine luxury townhomes, restaurants and retail.
He told commissioners that the commercial style the project is pursuing favors local restaurants and shops, not chain stores or fast-food restaurants.
Among the concerns shared by commissioners and the city manager are whether Barsotelli will be able to insure the proposed garage and whether the project could be completed even if the city does not move to sell or lease the garage. Questions include whether there is any possibility of proceeding. property.
Smyrna Beach’s new city manager, Khalid Resheidat, said the city could benefit from much-needed additional parking, but details of the proposed project still need to be worked out.
“I think this is a very unique project in terms of economic development. But in the meantime, there are a lot of legal issues that need to be resolved before we can move forward,” Recheidat said. .
City officials say they need to complete due diligence on the idea because it is the first time the city is considering a public-private partnership of this type.
Barsottelli said he hopes commissioners understand the positive impact his project could have on the city and its residents.
“I think this is an upgrade for the city. It’s helpful to the community and it’s in a perfectly balanced development process,” he said.
The next step in the process is for Barsottelli to submit a formal proposal detailing the project to the City Commission. The committee will then conduct a financial analysis and decide whether to participate.